Obesity is a serious medical and social problem that affects many people worldwide. It is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, and it is associated with a number of health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
A Healthdata survey conducted in 2015 found 107.7 million obese children and 603.7 million obese adults worldwide. Fat people had doubled in more than 70 countries since 1980.
As per the research, Obesity is caused by a number of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environment. It can be influenced by things like diet, physical activity, and stress levels. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity has been increasing in recent years, and it is now considered to be a global epidemic. This is due in part to the increasing availability of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, as well as sedentary lifestyles and a lack of access to quality healthcare.
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Medical Aspects of Obesity:
1. As per the analysis of the study, healthy weight people are at risk from various situations and problems such as high mortality rate, hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, strokes, Sleep apnoea or breathing problems.
2. Moreover, obesity leads to low quality of life, mental illnesses such as clinical depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders and many more including body pain and difficulty with physical functioning.
Social Aspects of Obesity:
1. On the social side, it is important to promote healthy lifestyles and educate people about the risks and consequences of obesity. It involves things like promoting physical activity and healthy eating and addressing the underlying causes of obesity, such as poverty and food insecurity.
2. The social and emotional effects of obesity, including discrimination, lower wages, lower quality of life and a likely susceptibility to depression could not be neglected.
3. Additionally, it is important to support policies and initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and address the root causes of obesity. This can include things like taxing sugary drinks and junk food, providing incentives for healthy behaviours, and supporting programs that promote physical activity and healthy eating.
Therefore, there are a number of problems caused by excessive weight, that not only affect the physical or mental health but also social health.